Michael John Hauck of Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away peacefully in Hospice Care of the Northern Hills at Edgewood Vista in Spearfish, South Dakota on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 3:13 PM. He was 71 years, 2 months, and 5 days.

Michael “Mike”, the oldest of seven children was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Marie; one brother, James; one niece, Rachelle Hauck; one nephew, Daniel Forland; and one grand nephew, Canaan Hauck. Michael is survived by four brothers: Robert and wife, Rita of Ft. Worth, TX; Timothy and wife, Mona of Spearfish, SD; Ronald and wife, Julie of Sacramento, CA; William and wife, Suzy of Black Hawk, SD; one sister, Kathleen Hauck Groom and husband, Tom Groom, of Parker, CO; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Santos, widow of James, of Denver Colorado; 38 nieces, grandnieces, nephews, grandnephews and a host of family and friends.

Mike was born February 20, 1942 in Yankton, SD. He grew up on the family farm near Tyndall, SD. He attended the Hoff country school and Tyndall High School. Mike loved the farm where he played and worked until 1963 when the family moved to Terry, MT. Mike worked on area ranches for a couple of years until he ventured off on his own to Libby, MT. He worked 16 years for St. Regis Plywood Company. The company went out of business, but Mike never found himself without a job. He had learned the ethics of hard work and loyalty on the family farm. Mike worked construction in Montana, lumber yard in North Dakota, and school maintenance in Belle Fourche. In 2006 he moved to Spearfish, SD and began working at Wal-Mart. As at every other job, Mike worked hard, made lots of friends and was loved by all. His gregarious personality flavored with humor and good natured bantering made him a favorite at Wal-Mart and in his new home, Edgewood Vista.

At the too young age of 71, Mike was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In the final two months of his life he never felt sorry for himself. He traveled to Texas with his brother Bob where Mike got to see the ocean for the first time! He and Bob made a DVD of family memories and history. Mike was always known as the family historian with his sharp mind for numbers, names and details. Upon his return from Texas, Mike fought for every day that he had left. He visited friends at Wal-Mart and spent time with family. He failed quickly and was soon housebound at Edgewood Vista. He never felt sorry for himself, but entertained family, friends, hospice and Edgewood staff from the confines of wheelchair and eventually his bed. His faith in God never wavered as he continued to tell everyone that everything was in God’s hands. During Mike’s final days, he had a veritable parade of friends, family and staff through his room to express their love for him. Mike’s room was filled with memories, laughter, tears, music and prayers until the very end.

Two services of remembrance will be held in the chapel at Edgewood Vista on Saturday, May 4, 2013. The first will be at 9:00 AM for all Edgewood Vista staff and residents. The second will be at 10:00 AM for all of the rest of Mikes many friends. His family will be present to remember and rejoice at both services. Inurnment for Mike will be in Prairie County Cemetery of Terry, Montana next to his parents, Rudy and Marie Hauck. Gifts can be given in memory of Mike for Hospice Care of the Northern Hills.